Information for term Teach in South Korea Basics
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenConnect to CIEE’s excellent support, preparation, and private-school placement opportunities, just without the included TEFL course. Explore Korea while gaining experience and saving up funds for even more adventures!
Interested in public school placements through the EPIK program? CIEE’s TEFL team offers free expert guidance to help CIEE TEFL students successfully navigate EPIK’s competitive application process. Learn more
Program Highlights
- High salaries let entry-level teachers save money or travel
- Rent-free studio apartment
- Schools provide reimbursement for one-way airfare
- No teaching experience necessary
No teaching credentials? Check out Teach in South Korea, which adds an online TEFL certification course to your program.
Have questions? Find answers on our Teach in Korea FAQ page.
| Term | Start Date | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 Semesters 2022 | August/September | 12 months (plus 2-week quarantine) | June 1* |
| Spring 2 Semesters 2023 | February | 12 months (plus 2-week quarantine) | July 1 |
*Please note: The Fall 2022 hiring season (late March to early August) is already underway. Candidates who apply in May still have a decent chance of getting a job, but the sooner you can apply and get started, the better!
About Our Program Fees
CIEE, a non-profit organization, relies on program fees to provide South Korea Basics participants with placement assistance, international insurance, orientation, and support before and after arrival. The program fee of $1,350 is paid in two installments:
- $500 commitment deposit due after acceptance
- Remaining balance due when you receive your placement
CIEE alumni receive a 10% discount!
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
CIEE is requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling on programs. Read more ›
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
- Job placement
- Pre-departure assistance – including visa assistance
- One year of iNext international insurance with 24-hour emergency assistance services
- Support and advice from CIEE representatives in Korea
- Mid-year networking weekend in Seoul
- Contract completion bonus equal to one month's salary
The Destination
Click to Open
The Destination
Participants are placed in cities and suburban areas throughout South Korea. Teaching assignments are available in the Seoul metropolitan area, but they are often more competitive and are not always available to inexperienced teachers.
Many teachers are placed in the following cities:
- Busan, the country’s second-largest city, draws many international conventions and foreign visitors.
- Ulsan, on the south-eastern coast, is an industrial powerhouse with the energy of a robust economy.
- Daegu enjoys a subtropical climate ideal for producing high-quality apples, thus its nickname, "Apple City.” It is also a notable center for Korean fashion.
- Daejeon, in the center of the country, has 18 universities and is a center of advanced technology.
- Gwangju is another large, culturally rich city in the south of the country.
- The greater Seoul area is one of the largest metropolitan disctricts in the world and includes the nearby cities of Bucheon, Incheon, Suwon City, Gunpo, and Namyangju.
- Each year, we have other interesting locations not included on this list!
CIEE wants all our participants to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while teaching abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that teachers with specific identities might encounter in Seoul, and these are generally applicable to other parts of the country where Teach Abroad participants are placed.
The Take-Aways
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Compensation
Rent-free housing with basic amenities, competitive salary, airfare, South Korean-national medical insurance benefits.
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Preparation
Detailed pre-departure guides on topics like phones, cultural differences and advice from former teachers, plus an orientation and networking weekend in Seoul.
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Assistance
Pre-departure guidance, international medical insurance and 24-hour worldwide assistance with CIEE iNext, in-country support from resident staff members.
Job Description
Click to OpenJob Description
In South Korea, you’ll be teaching English in a society where academics are highly valued. Positions are available with KG and elementary students, so if you’re excited to be a language and cultural ambassador for South Korea’s youngest learners, you’re on the right track!
Most Korean students attend public school during the day, then private academies called hagwons in the afternoon or evening, to help them meet high expectations for educational achievement. Click here to see a comparison of those types of teaching jobs – each has its pros and cons.
If you want to apply for public school jobs, CIEE’s TEFL program offers the certification you’ll need. They can also provide guidance on how to make a strong application with EPIK, the Korean public school program for foreign teachers. EPIK is competitive, and offers little to no control over location, but has longer vacations and Korean co-teachers. Learn more
On the other hand, CIEE’s Teach in Korea program places English teachers at private schools (hagwons). With this school type, you have much more influence over location, and you will likely have other expat teachers at your school. It’s the best approach for friends and couples seeking placement together, too. If you’re aiming for hagwons, you’re on the right page – keep reading!
Not sure which one is right for you? Review our comparison handout and then schedule a phone call!
Compensation & Benefits
Regardless of the type of school, teaching in Korea offers an outstanding package when it comes to salary and benefits.
You will earn 2,100,000-2,400,000 won (approx. $1,750-2,000)/month and receive rent-free housing from your school. You’ll have a small deduction each month for Korean taxes, but you’ll be enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance which delivers excellent care at very low prices. There’s also a contract completion bonus equal to one month’s salary at the end of your program.
These high wages will let you save large amounts of money each month instead of spending it on rent and transportation!
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SCHOOLS AND LOCATIONS
Private schools tend to be concentrated in cities and urban areas, where there are lots of customers! It’s fairly rare for a first-time teacher to get a job in central Seoul, but there are lots of job opportunities in nearby areas like Incheon, Gyeonggido, and Suwon, as well as other cities and urban districts throughout Korea. We’ll do our best to follow your preferences when arranging interviews!
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WORKLOAD
Participants at private schools are solo lead teachers with full responsibility for their classes. Class sizes are small (5-12 students), but the overall workload is fairly heavy: 30 classroom teaching hours each week, not counting lesson prep, meetings or other obligations like lunch supervision. A typical contract offers paid time off on a fixed annual schedule: 9-10 school vacation days, plus 10-15 national holidays.
Qualifications
Click to OpenTEFL Certification
Click to OpenOur Team
Click to OpenOur Team
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Bradley Brennan
In-Country Support
Brad has been supporting CIEE teachers in Korea since 2014. Originally from Tacoma, WA, Brad has lived and taught in Korea for more than 12 years.
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Yumi Ko
Placement Coordinator
Yumi has been helping CIEE applicants find teaching positions at reputable South Korean schools since 2012.
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Shanice Alyster
Senior Coordinator, Teach Abroad Programs
Shanice, from Buffalo, New York, is passionate about seeing the world and has taught English in both China and South Korea. She enjoys reading, baking, traveling (of course!) and practicing her ukulele.
Ready to change your life?
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